SpaceX Thanksgiving Day launch scrubbed — twice

November 28, 2013|By Kate Santich, Orlando Sentinel

Two attempts to launch a SpaceX commercial satellite were aborted Thursday evening — each within the final minute of the countdown.

The Falcon 9 rocket, carrying a communications satellite, was initially scheduled to launch at 5:39 p.m. but was called off at virtually the last second. Another attempt at 6:44 p.m. was scrubbed at T-minus 58 seconds.

Among the features of the rocket — which Space-X CEO Elon Musk calls the most advanced in the world — is an automated engine shutdown if computers detect any problems.

Musk said another launch attempt likely won't come for a few days. Engineers must first lower the rocket to a horizontal position and move it to a hangar for inspections. The launch already had been postponed after an initial attempt on Monday failed. The issue at that time turned out to be a valve problem.

The source of Thursday's woes is still unknown, a SpaceX spokesman said.

Musk has said a successful launch could bring more commercial satellite business to the U.S. — a potential boon for the Space Coast's ailing economy.